{"id":1333814,"date":"2022-02-23T17:37:34","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T22:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1333814"},"modified":"2022-02-23T17:37:39","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T22:37:39","slug":"2022-republicans-across-america-push-for-classroom-transparency-democrats-try-to-keep-parents-in-the-dark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2022-republicans-across-america-push-for-classroom-transparency-democrats-try-to-keep-parents-in-the-dark\/","title":{"rendered":"2022: Republicans Across America Push for Classroom Transparency, Democrats Try to Keep Parents in the Dark"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F2022-republicans-across-america-push-for-classroom-transparency-democrats-try-to-keep-parents-in-the-dark%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1333814&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-1266400456-640x335-1.png\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p class=\"subheading\">With the start of the midterm cycle just days away, the fight over education continues across America as Republican state lawmakers push to require classroom materials posted online, while Democrats try to keep parents in the dark.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans are also seeking to enshrine acknowledgements of parental rights into state law with parental bills of rights.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"gmxrevmore\" class=\"H\"><\/figure>\n<p>Debates over curriculum transparency raged last year, as parents became aware that their children were being exposed to critical race and gender theories at very young ages, sowing racial division and sexual confusion among America\u2019s young people.<\/p>\n<p>Many attempts to uncover more of what children were learning were met with noncompliance from school districts or cost-prohibitive, penalizing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In response, Republicans have been putting forth bills to make curriculums readily accessible to parents.<\/p>\n<p>Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said on the Senate floor that \u201cAmerican parents are speaking out. \u2026\u00a0The fact that woke bureaucrats are this terrified by transparency proves exactly why parents deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Republican Party is uniting behind curriculum transparency. &#8220;American parents are speaking out,&#8221; says <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LeaderMcConnell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@LeaderMcConnell<\/a>. &#8220;The fact that woke bureaucrats are this terrified by transparency proves exactly why parents deserve it.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LoJvVgNmiJ\">pic.twitter.com\/LoJvVgNmiJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Christopher F. Rufo \u2694\ufe0f (@realchrisrufo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/realchrisrufo\/status\/1494370824601554957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 17, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Alaska lawmakers introduced a bill requiring its school districts to make curriculum materials public by posting them online.<\/p>\n<p>The bill, one of several education bills being looked at in Alaska this session, was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ktoo.org\/2022\/02\/22\/lawmakers-focus-bills-on-school-curriculum\/\">introduced<\/a> by state Rep. Ron Gillham (R), who said he wants to make education the focus of this session, according to KTOO.<\/p>\n<p>Like many curriculum transparency bills, some teachers are worried the measures will lead to \u201ccensorship.\u201d Gillham, though, sees the bills as ways to make the education of children more accessible to parents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf they\u2019re trying to keep you from seeing what it is, that tells me you are trying to hide something,\u201d he said. \u201cThey may not be, but that is kind of in the back of my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B3\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: Alaska lawmakers have introduced a curriculum transparency bill that would require public schools to post teaching materials online. Parents have a right to know what the government is teaching their children. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/j8F9nAiu1n\">pic.twitter.com\/j8F9nAiu1n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Christopher F. Rufo \u2694\ufe0f (@realchrisrufo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/realchrisrufo\/status\/1496250481097998337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 22, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another of Gillham\u2019s proposals would <a href=\"http:\/\/www.akleg.gov\/PDF\/32\/Bills\/HB0329A.PDF\">allow<\/a> public funding to support students who are homeschooled or in private school and allow for annual scholarships of up to $5,930 for students in underperforming schools, those with disabilities, or those with parents in the military.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p>Gillham also introduced a bill that would bar the central tenets of critical race theory and not allow students to be taught that some are inherently \u201cracist, sexist, or oppressive\u201d because of their skin color or gender. Similarly, the Alaska Republican is planning on writing a \u201ccharacter development program\u201d bill that would highlight the value of patriotism, responsibility, and racial and religious tolerance.<\/p>\n<p>The Alaska chapter of the National Education Association, a prominent teachers\u2019 union, is not happy with Gillham\u2019s proposals, however.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe education reform package proposed by Rep. Gillham does not address the urgent needs I\u2019m hearing from Alaska educators or the students they serve,\u201d chapter head Tom Klaaymeyer said. \u201cNEA-Alaska is eager to work with any and all parties to improve educational achievement and student learning. Unfortunately, this package of bills does not appear to be productive, practical, or a strategic investment in our public education system.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B4\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/detroit.chalkbeat.org\/2022\/2\/2\/22915217\/michigan-curriculum-transparency-crt-hb5277\">Michigan<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtontimes.com\/news\/2022\/feb\/12\/gop-pushes-us-schools-to-post-all-class-materials-\/\">Ohio<\/a> have similar curriculum transparency bills and are being met with opposition from teachers\u2019 unions and establishment media.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s bill, for example, requires the posting of the entire school year\u2019s curriculum, along with field trips and other activities, before the year begins and threatens a loss of five percent of district funding for those that do not comply.<\/p>\n<p>Chalkboard Detroit addressed the concerns about school curriculums by <a href=\"https:\/\/detroit.chalkbeat.org\/2022\/2\/2\/22915217\/michigan-curriculum-transparency-crt-hb5277\">lying<\/a> about critical race theory, saying the indoctrination scheme is an \u201cacademic framework that examines the lingering effects of slavery and ingrained culture of racism\u201d and \u201cit is not taught in Michigan schools.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn recent months,\u201d the outlet argues, \u201cCRT concerns have morphed into broader objections to discussions of race or diversity in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One co-sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Pamela Hornberger (R), said, \u201cParents want more information, and a lot of districts are pushing back. \u2026 I think there should be as much transparency as possible in education. It makes people comfortable (when they) get their questions answered.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Michigan Board of Education Vice President Pamela Pugh, a Democrat, said of the bill that \u201cThere\u2019s more than meets the eye at the root of these divisive, manufactured, chaotic bills that are being proposed. It\u2019s scare tactics and intimidation meant to cause mass chaos, mass confusion, and disruption to our education system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition, a fifth grade teacher, Ingrid Fournier of Ludington Public Schools, said she is \u201cfrightened,\u201d complaining of \u201cmore hoops to jump through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been trained. Our best interest is your child\u2019s success. We\u2019re not the enemy,\u201d she insisted. \u201cWhere is the trust? Just trust us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ohio\u2019s similar bill has been met with opposition as well, with Toledo high school English teacher Katie Peters saying, \u201cIt makes me a little defensive, because I\u2019m like \u2013 no, wait a minute, we\u2019re not hiding anything. The transparency is always there, and the parents who have cared to look have always had access.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Many parents and Republicans, however, believe that if the transparency is \u201calways there\u201d then having a statutory requirement should not make a difference \u2014 and therefore should not be met with such hostility.<\/p>\n<p>Of these types of bills, Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Christopher Rufo said the strategy is quite clear. \u201cThe strategy here is to use a non-threatening, liberal value \u2013 \u2018transparency\u2019 \u2013 to force ideological actors to undergo public scrutiny,\u201d he said, saying they\u00a0will \u201cgive parents a powerful check on bureaucratic power.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Democrats and their allies are fighting hard to make sure these bills do not pass in order to keep parents in the dark about what their children are learning.<\/p>\n<p>Already, Democrat governors in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have vetoed versions of the bill in their respective states \u2014 but the fight against transparency is much more involved than simple vetoes.<\/p>\n<p>The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is parroting Democrat talking points, saying bills that allow parents to see what their children are learning in schools are merely \u201cthinly veiled attempts at chilling teachers and students from learning and talking about race and gender in schools.\u201d The ACLU <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/democrats-teachers-unions-parents-learning-kids-taught\">says<\/a> it is \u201cactively pursuing litigation to block\u201d the bills.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Curriculum transparency bills are just thinly veiled attempts at chilling teachers and students from learning and talking about race and gender in schools.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EqKN4EGX3m\">https:\/\/t.co\/EqKN4EGX3m<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 ACLU (@ACLU) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ACLU\/status\/1484573261967114247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 21, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cGood schools and good school districts have always had curriculum transparency \u2014 including extensive two-way communication between parents and educators on what we are teaching and how to support our kids,\u201d Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers \u2014 the nation\u2019s largest teachers\u2019 union said. \u201cPretending otherwise is just the latest attempt by Chris Rufo and others to exploit the frustration of Covid to create a toxic environment where the biggest losers are children and their recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Weingarten, who claims to care about the wellbeing of children, has used her organization as a driving force behind keeping schools closed and children masked, despite the ample and growing evidence that both have been absolutely detrimental for the social and educational development of children as well as their mental health. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have all skyrocketed among children, as well as learning loss and underdeveloped speaking, reading, and writing capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>The left-wing has also been deployed to attack curriculum transparency.<\/p>\n<p>In a Daily Beast article titled \u201cBig Brother Is Headed for the Classroom,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/big-brother-is-headed-for-the-classroom\">adorned<\/a> with the subtitle \u201cTransparency or Trap?\u201d argues that Republicans are enforcing \u201cgag orders\u201d on teachers and trying to \u201cban books.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t be fooled by the neutral-sounding language,\u201d the opinion article by Jonathan Friedman said. \u201cBy any other name, this is an effort to monitor teachers that echoes\u00a0the worst urges of McCarthyism\u00a0and feels like\u00a0Orwell\u2019s Big Brother\u00a0brought to life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Republicans argue that they are merely looking to grant parents easier access to school curriculums so as to bypass unruly school districts and expensive FOIA hurdles.<\/p>\n<p>Texas, Utah, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, and Virginia are among the many other states with curriculum transparency bills being considered.<\/p>\n<p><em>Breccan F. Thies<\/em>\u00a0<em>is a reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow him on Twitter\u00a0<a title=\"This external link will open in a new window\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BreccanFThies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@BreccanFThies<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the start of the midterm cycle just days away, the fight over education continues across America as Republican state lawmakers push to require classroom materials posted online, while Democrats<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1333814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1333814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1333814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1333814\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1333814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1333814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1333814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}